Illinois family reunited with pet bobcat after court battle

Dec. 6 (UPI) -- An Illinois family has been reunited with their pet bobcat after a court battle that ended with the mother pleading guilty and incurring a fine.

Lakesha Mayweather, 44, and her family were reunited with Capone, a 19-pound bobcat they kept as pet at their Swansea home for more than two years, after Mayweather pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a dangerous animal.

Capone was seized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Sept. 28 due to being considered a dangerous animal in the state.

Mayweather, who was sentenced to pay a $50 court fee and $3,562 in restitution to the Tree House Wildlife Center, which housed the pet after the seizure, was allowed to bring Capone back home to her family after obtaining permits from both the a U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The family was also required to prove to local officials that the animal was neutered before they were given clearance to keep the pet.